Air Force Chief of Staff (KSAU) Air Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono\nconfirmed the military\u2019s support during a meeting with Vivi Yulaswati,\nDeputy for Economic Affairs at the National Development Planning\nMinistry, in Jakarta on Thursday (June 4).<\/p>\n
\u201cHis support for the development of Kertajati Airport as an MRO\nfacility is in line with the Indonesian Air Force\u2019s experience in\ncarrying out training and flight activities in the airport,\u201d the Air\nForce stated in a press release.<\/p>\n
The development of Kertajati Airport as an MRO facility will have a\npositive impact on many aspects, including the domestic defense and\naerospace industries, according to Tonny.<\/p>\n
With such a facility, local defense firms would be able to integrate\ndirectly into every tier of the aircraft maintenance lifecycle.<\/p>\n
This structural shift will not only elevate the profile of the\ndomestic aviation industry but also open vital pipelines for the\ndevelopment of homegrown defense and aerospace technologies.<\/p>\n
However, acknowledging both the immense economic windfalls and the\ncomplex defense implications, Air Marshal Tonny emphasized that the\nmilitary is proceeding systematically.<\/p>\n
The Air Force has already prepared multiple operational studies to\nguide the infrastructure integration.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe development of this area still requires further discussion with\nrelevant ministries and agencies,\u201d the Air Force stated, emphasizing\nthat a meticulous, multi-sector roadmap is vital to ensure the hub\nremains an independent, integrated and sustainable national asset.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin conveyed the offer from\nUS Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to make Indonesia a maintenance hub\nfor C-130 Hercules aircraft in the Asia region.<\/p>\n
President Prabowo Subianto was reported to have approved the offer\nand designated Kertajati Airport as the location.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe choice of Kertajati Airport takes into account the availability\nof extensive land and adequate aviation support facilities,\u201d Defense\nMinistry spokesperson Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait said.<\/p>\n
Operating since 2018, Kertajati spans 1,800 hectares with a\n3,000-meter runway capable of handling heavy wide-body aircraft like the\nBoeing 777.<\/p>\n
Describing the development as a significant leap forward for national\ndefense, Rico said the hub will position Indonesia as a vital logistics\npartner for all Asian nations operating Hercules transport aircraft.<\/p>\n
However, the prospect of hosting a crucial maintenance hub heavily\nlinked to the US military has sparked concerns that Indonesia will\nincreasingly be drawn into US interests.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the facility is exclusively for supporting the operations of US\nmilitary aircraft in the Asian region, it could be perceived as a US\nmilitary base in Indonesia,\u201d Indonesian lawmaker T.B. Hasanuddin\nwarned.<\/p>\n
Hasanuddin urged the government to tread carefully, warning against\nany contractual exclusivity that could trigger sovereignty concerns or\nregional friction.<\/p>\n
Related news: Local governments\u2019 views sought on Bandung airport\nrevival<\/p>\n
Related news: Indonesia considers Kertajati as maintenance hub for\nHercules aircraft<\/p>\n
Translator: Walda Marison, Yashinta Difa<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesian-air-force-backs-kertajati-as-regional-hercules-mro-hub-1780660208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }